Amsterdam Marchers Demand Tougher Dutch Action on Israel

The marchers, many dressed in red, called for steps including an end to arms sales to Israel, stricter trade sanctions and an official Dutch declaration that Israel’s actions in Gaza amount to genocide. Israel rejects the genocide accusation. Protesters carried signs reading “Stop the Genocide” and chanted in support of Palestine along a street closed to traffic for the march.

Estimates of attendance varied sharply. The Dutch branch of Amnesty International said more than 200,000 people joined, while organizers gave an estimate of about 20,000. Protester Mike van Dongen said the Dutch government was not taking serious steps. Steven Eisinger, a Jewish protester with family in Israel, said he wanted to show support for Palestinians and oppose what he called genocide.

A ceasefire between Israel and Hamas took effect in October 2025, but strikes and a severe humanitarian crisis have continued in Gaza. Gaza’s Health Ministry says more than 1,550 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli forces since the ceasefire began; it does not distinguish between civilians and militants.

The Dutch government has prohibited the import of goods originating in Israeli settlements across the Palestinian territories under occupation, prompting Israel to revoke the accreditation of Dutch diplomats. The Netherlands has also exited the 2027 Eurovision competition, as NPO, the public broadcaster, pointed to Israel’s participation as a sensitive matter.

Prime Minister Rob Jetten, who joined a similar march in 2025, did not attend. He said his government is applying political and diplomatic pressure on Israel to honor its Gaza commitments, while also pressuring Hamas and other groups over actions that endanger Israelis.

Dutch Protesters Demand an End to Arms Sales to Israel

The Amsterdam march put public pressure on the Dutch government to go further than its existing measures. Protesters called for an end to arms sales, tougher trade sanctions and formal recognition that Israel’s actions in Gaza amount to genocide—a charge Israel rejects.

The crowd’s size was disputed: Amnesty International’s Dutch branch said more than 200,000 people attended, while organizers estimated about 20,000. Protesters said the government was doing too little. One participant, Steven Eisinger, said he was Jewish, had family in Israel and wanted to express support for Palestinians and opposition to genocide.

A ceasefire began in October 2025, yet Gaza continues to face a humanitarian crisis and Israeli strikes. Gaza’s Health Ministry says more than 1,550 Palestinians have died in Israeli attacks since the ceasefire began, while noting that its figures do not separate civilians from militants.

The Netherlands has banned imports from Israeli settlements, but demonstrators are demanding stronger measures. Jetten says his government is increasing diplomatic and political pressure on Israel; the march underscored why protesters believe that pressure has not gone far enough.

Amsterdam March Presses Dutch Government to Escalate Israel Dispute

Protesters in Amsterdam called on the Dutch government to adopt sweeping measures against Israel, including halting arms sales and declaring that its actions in Gaza amount to genocide. Israel strongly rejects that accusation, and the demands would take the Netherlands further into a dispute already straining relations between the countries.

Attendance estimates differed widely: Amnesty International’s Dutch branch put the crowd above 200,000, while organizers estimated about 20,000. The protest took place despite a ceasefire that began in October 2025. Jetten says his government is pressing Israel to honor its commitments while also applying pressure to Hamas and other groups over threats to Israelis.

The Netherlands has already banned products from Israeli settlements, a move that led Israel to revoke the accreditation of Dutch diplomats. The country has also withdrawn from the 2027 Eurovision contest, citing the sensitive issue of Israel’s participation.

The march’s calls for further action focus on Israel, even as the Dutch government says it is also addressing Hamas’s actions. Jetten, who attended a similar protest in 2025, stayed away this time and said it would be inappropriate for him to take part.